NYWIFT Board President Kim Jackson, p.g.a., heads up to Woodstock as the producer of The Plea.
The Plea follows 12 sharply divided jurors sequestered in a hotel as they decide a controversial case about personhood. As deliberations spill beyond the conference room and into their private lives, deeply held beliefs, prejudices, and unlikely connections emerge. In this satirical comedy noir, a jury of our peers becomes a portrait of a divided America struggling to find common ground.
The film has been nominated for both The Haskell Wexler Award for Best Cinematography and The Laurent Rejto Made In Hudson Valley Award.
You can see The Plea at Woodstock Film Festival on Friday, October 16 at 3:30 PM at Tinker Street Cinema (132 Tinker Street Woodstock, NY 12498). Buy tickets here.
Kim spoke to us about the creative and social conversations that informed the story, the pivotal role of the producer, and her advice for independent filmmakers.
The Plea brings a relevant social conversation to 12 strangers from all walks of life, suddenly brought into close proximity. How would you describe the feeling of bringing this story and its range of perspectives to audiences?
It feels timely and charged, almost like holding up a mirror to where we are right now as a society.
A couple of years ago, there was an interesting story developing in Alabama. Embryos at an IVF clinic had been [accidentally] destroyed. I was surprised this wasn’t bigger news making its way across mainstream media. The ruling had created legal and criminal liability risks for fertility doctors. Multiple IVF clinics in Alabama temporarily paused their services and treatments.
The debate regarding fetal personhood and access to fertility care was beginning. And what was fascinating was that women and couples, both pro-life and pro-choice, were being affected.
At the same time, I keep seeing how our reliance on technology and social media keeps us isolated in our own bubbles, unable to have real conversations, and algorithm-driven echo chambers amplify division, erode shared reality, and make meaningful debate all but impossible.
Watching these 12 strangers face off, stripped of their screens and defenses, reminds me how conflict and connection are two sides of the same coin.
Still from The Plea (Photo Credit: Evotion Media)
As a producer, how did you bring your voice and your vision to this story?
My vision helped shape not just the thematic DNA but the process. The script reflects my belief that justice and filmmaking are always tangled, always subject to arbitrary rupture, and that real meaning is found not in sweeping victories but in the granular, unresolved work of trying.
The case at the center of the jury’s deliberations directly impacts women’s reproductive rights—a debate already raging in our own communities. I was drawn to this timely story through the sharp, incisive, and funny writing of Zach LeBeau, Dean Imperial (who are also our co-directors), and Scott Organ.
From the outset, the directors fostered a collaborative environment and sincerely welcomed my creative perspective, which made the process not only smooth and productive, but truly meaningful.
If there’s a message, it’s in keeping a clear-eyed empathy for flawed people, crafting a setting where humor and heartbreak happen in the same breath, and in refusing to surrender to easy genre comfort.
It’s also in the refusal to claim control where there is none — on the jury, on set, or in distribution — and yet still showing up, still telling the story, still risking something personal every time.
NYWIFT Board President and The Plea Producer Kim Jackson (Photo Credit: Dia Dupasupil)
Was producing The Plea different from other projects you had produced before?
Absolutely, producing The Plea was a different experience from my previous projects in several key ways. I was the only woman and the sole producer on the film, which meant stepping into every aspect of the production with an added sense of responsibility and visibility.
With both directors appearing in the cast, I often found myself behind video village, bridging the gap between performance and production—monitoring the creative vision while also managing practical on-set needs.
Additionally, I was intentional about hiring as many women as possible across departments. Creating space for women both in front of and behind the camera was a guiding principle for me on this project.
All of these elements combined to make The Plea a uniquely challenging and empowering experience, and one that pushed me to bring my full voice and leadership to the table every single day.
Millicent Simmonds in The Plea (Photo Credit: Evotion Media)
How has the NYWIFT community and resources played a role in this film?
The NYWIFT community has truly been a lifeline for me personally and for this film since preproduction. Their network provided invaluable industry and crew referrals, rough cut feedback, and even inspired our casting choices—the film simply wouldn’t be what it is today without their support.
Attending the 2024 NYWIFT Muse Awards with the writers was especially impactful. Honoree Millicent Simmonds’ powerful speech on industry inclusion moved us deeply, sparking the creation of a new character for our next project. And then, we were fortunate enough to have Millicent join our ensemble cast of 15 on this film, and her involvement brought tremendous depth and authenticity.
I’m grateful to NYWIFT not only for their practical resources, but also for the ongoing encouragement and inspiration their community offers.
Honoree Millicent Simmonds at the 2024 NYWIFT Muse Awards (Photo Credit: Lou Aguilar)
What advice do you have for storytellers, and producers in particular?
My advice: fall in love with the process, not the outcome.
As a producer, you’re often the last person standing when everyone else has moved on—so know why you care about the story, and surround yourself with collaborators who challenge and energize you. Skill matters, but temperament and values matter more.
Build your crew out of people who want to do the work, not just climb ladders or collect credits. I’ve learned that collaboration isn’t just a buzzword; it’s often the difference between surviving and burning out.
Protect your perspective and also stay curious and open; sometimes the best insights come from the least expected places. Make a point to bring in the voices missing from the room, especially other women—the stories worth telling don’t always come with a roadmap or industry demand.
Finally, accept that chaos is part of the job; learn to find humor and humanity in the mess. You can’t control the outcome — distribution, acclaim, or profit — but you can make sure that the experience of making it is worth your time, your dignity, and every sleepless night.
Still from The Plea (Photo Credit: Evotion Media)
You can see The Plea at Woodstock Film Festival on Friday, October 16 at 3:30 PM at Tinker Street Cinema (132 Tinker Street Woodstock, NY 12498). Buy tickets here.
Learn more about Evotion Media at www.evotionmedia.com and @evotionentertainment on Instagram.
Connect with Kim Jackson on Instagram at @thekimjackson_
